BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — When traditional field trips to farms are not possible, bringing the farm to the students can create an equally engaging and educational experience. That is exactly what Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed) agent Desiree Hutcherson-Bates did for third and fourth graders at Barrett Elementary School with a Farm-to-School Walking Field Trip. This miniature farm experience provided students with hands-on learning about agriculture, healthy eating and physical activity — all without the need for buses or travel expenses.

The walking field trip included five interactive stations set up around the school grounds. The students learned about agriculture and enjoyed extra physical activity as they walked from one station to the next. Each station highlighted a different part of the journey from farm to table, helping students understand that their food does not simply come from the grocery store shelves.

“Most kids think that our food just comes from a grocery store,” Hutcherson-Bates said. “By bringing the farm to them, we can show them that the eggs we eat come from chickens and that the beans we eat are grown by farmers.”

Interactive Stations Bring Agriculture to Life

Local farmer Amos Crews kicked off the event by sharing insights into the daily life of a farmer. Crews also read an agricultural-based story and led students in a movement activity. The students performed specific movements in response to farm-themed words in the story.

Jimmy Carmack, a local beekeeper, taught the students how honeybees pollenate plants and help the produce grow. He brought a beehive with a viewing window so students could see the bees hard at work. They took part in a game of find the queen bee in the hive.

Beth Kornegay — fondly known as “The Goat Lady” — introduced her farm animals to the students at the end of the walking field trip. This gave students the opportunity to interact with animals they may only have read about. The hands-on experience connected them with the origins of the food and resources these animals provide.

At another station, students got creative by decorating pumpkins and learning about the pumpkin harvesting process. Lisa Jones, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s coordinator for Jefferson County, led this activity — helping the kids explore the journey pumpkins take from farm to table.

Farm-to-School Experiences Promote Healthy Choice

The next station featured an obstacle course led by SNAP-Ed agents Arkaya King-Pace and Mitch Carter. Students learned to build a nutritionally balanced plate of food by selecting items from various food groups. A favorite activity was the bean toss. Students matched different types of beans with their names and learned recipes featuring each type of bean.

Students then walked to a small-scale version of Calvert Farmer’s Market. They were given six dollars in Barrett Bucks to buy their favorite fruits and vegetables, mimicking a real shopping experience. This station taught them about local fruits and vegetables and allowed them to make their own food choices, encouraging healthier eating habits.

“This activity not only teaches kids about healthy food choices but also helps them practice using money in a real-world setting,” said Hutcherson-Bates. “By spending their Barrett Bucks, they learned how to add of up the cost of while shopping while discovering the benefits of fresh, local produce.”

The Farmer’s Federation of Jefferson County played a key role in making this day possible. Members of the board helped with the various learning stations and secured the animals to bring to the event.

“Our goal is to inspire curiosity and appreciation for where our food comes from,” Hutcherson-Bates said. “By bringing these experiences to the students, we hope to foster a lifelong interest in healthy eating and agriculture.”

The Farm-to-School Walking Field Trip proved that even without leaving school grounds, students could gain a memorable and educational experience, deepening their understanding of agriculture and healthy food choices.

More Information

To learn more about nutrition and physical activity, visit www.LiveWellAlabama.com. There, you can find valuable resources, practical advice and insights to support your wellness journey.

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